Cuba’s national dance lives on. in Mexico
123423434 SHARE
Glowing in a yellow lace dress, Carolina Salinas fans herself languidly while the band burns through the sultry rhythms of the “danzon,” Cuba’s national dance. But this is no Havana night club. In fact, danzon has virtually vanished from Cuba. Today, it is being kept alive thanks largely to a passionate group of Mexican fans like Salinas.
Danzon, a music and dance style blending European and African influences, was born in Cuba in the 19th century.
Its birthday is often given as January 1, 1879 the date of a New Year’s concert where Cuban composer Miguel Failde premiered a new song, “Las Alturas de Simpson,” that took the traditional French contredanse and injected it with spicy Latin beats.